Plug receptacle



- Feb. 24. 192

R. B. BENJAMIN V PLUG RECEFIACLE Filed Sept. 2, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fes. 24, 1925.

B. BENJAMIN PLUG RECEPTACLE Filed Sept. 2, 1920 Patented Feb. 24, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BENJAMIN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLI- NOIS.

PLUG RECEPTAOLE.

Application tiled September 2 '0 all wk am it may concern:

Be it known that I, REUBEN B. BENJAMIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Plug Receptacles, of WlllGh the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to electrical connector devices, and more particularly to plug clusters for use with a feed line having a ground return.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide such a connector device which will be durable and efiicient in use, simple in construction and easy to assemble.

Further objects will appear from the detailed description to follow and from the appended claims.

In the drawings in which several embodiments of my invention are shown:

Fig. 1 is an axial section of a plug cluster substantially on the line 11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the plug cluster from the right of Fig. 1, parts being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a part sectional and part elevational view showing a Hubbell type receptacle substituted for one of the Edison receptacles of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the Hubbell type receptacle;

Fig. 5 is a disassociated plan view of the two-part combination housing, supporting and connecting member;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a part sectional and part elevational view or a different type of plug receptacle; and

Fig. 8 is a part sectional and part elevational view of still another type of plug receptacle.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the construction shown comprises in a general way, a plug portion 10, having a threaded shell contact 11, and a center contact 12, for engagement with the corresponding contacts of a receptacle, and a two-way receptacle portion 13, having shell contacts 1%, and center contacts 15 for engagement 2 1920. Serial No. 407,655.

with the corresponding contacts of a plugin device.

The threaded shell contacts 14: of the receptacle portion are electrically connected with the threaded shell contact 11 of the plug portion, and as the device is used with a ground return in which the threaded shell contact of the outlet is grounded, it is not necessary to provide an insulating housing for the threaded shell contacts 14 of the receptacle portion.

For supporting the contacts and suitably insulating them with respect to each other, a two-part insulating base 16 is provided, comprising a plug base portion 17, for supporting and insulating the plug contacts with respects to each other, and a receptacle base portion 18, for supporting and insulat ing the receptacle contacts with respect to each other. For holding the two base parts 17 and 18 together, and electrically connecting the plug center contact 12 with the receptacle center contact 15, a central screw 19 is provided, which extends througl'i aligned openings in the two base portions, and is threaded into a nut 20, which bears on the base portion of an integral sheet metal stamping, on which the receptacle center contacts 15 are formed.

For mechanically supporting the threaded shell receptacle contacts 14: and electrically connecting them with the threaded shell plug contact, 11, a two-part combination housing, supporting and electrical connector member 21 is provided (Fig. which may be made of sheet metal in two mating halves.

For securing the upper ends of the mating halves 22 of the combination member 21 together, and for securing these mating halves to the threaded shell plug contact 11, each of the mating halves is provided with a lug 23, extending from the flange portion 24, each of these lugs 23 being bent down over the inwardly extending flange 25 01" the threaded shell plug contact 11, whereby the mating halves 22 are held together at the upper ends, and electrically and mechanically connected to the threaded shell plug contact 11.

For securing these mating halves together attheir lower ends. the threaded shell receptacle contacts 14: are slipped over the semi-cylindrical portions 26 of the members iii) 22, the members 22 and the threaded shell receptacle contacts 14 being provided with a quick-detachable interengaging means for holding the threaded shell contacts in place on the semi-cylindrical portions 26 when.

they are slipped on. These inter-engaging means may comprise rectangular openings 27 in the semi-cylindrical portions 26 which are engaged by angular lugs 28 struck inwardly from the inner end of the threaded shell receptacle contacts l t. These inward- 1y struck angular portions 28 act as spring catches for holding the threaded shell contacts in place with respect to the mating halves 22. By means of the connections between the mating halves 22 and the threaded shell plug contact 11 at their upper ends, and the engagement between the lower ends 01' the mating halves 22v andthe threaded shell receptacle contacts 14, the threaded shell plug contact 11, the threaded shell.-re-.

ceptacle contact 14, and the nnitinghalves are held together securely in proper relative position. In order to prevent theedges of the mating halves 22 from slippingmet each other they are provided with a.- small tlattened portion 29, the flattened portion 29 of one otthe mating halves engaging the flattened portion of the other mating halt, to prevent the edge of one from slipping past the other.

In order to hold. the base parts 1? and. 18

in their proper relative position, the base part 17 is providedwith a transversely extending recess 30, into which extends the transverse rib 31 on the base part 18.

The circuit is from the center contact 11 through the central screw 19, receptacle cento: contact 15, translating. device, threaded shell receptacle contact 1 1, combination member 21, and threadedshell plug contact 16 to the ground return.

In Figs. 3 and 4L 1 have shown a Hubbell type receptacle member which can be substituted for one of the threaded, shell.v

contact will be electrically connected with.

the proper contact of the plug portion. This receptacle member 32 comprises in a general way two contact members33 and 3 l,.ifo1flengagement with the blades of a separable attachment plug cap, and electrically -,connected as hereinafter described with ,the threaded shell plug contact 11 and center .lug contact 12, an insulating base or eugporting the contacts 33and-34. and insulating them with respectto each other, and a combination housing and electrical and mechanical connector member 36, surrounding the insulating base and having a quick-detachable connection with respect to the combination housing and connecting device 21.

in order to effect a mechanical connection between the receptacle member 32 and the combination member 21, the housing member 36 may be provided with an angular spring lug (not shown) similar to the lug 28 previously described, for engagement with oneof the rectangular openings 27. In order to electrically connect. the contact device 34: .with. the. plugcenter contact 12, a contact member 37 is provided, secured to the insulating base 35, this member 37 serving also to mechanically hold the base portion of the contactdevice 3 in place in the insulating base 35. This contact member 37 engages one of the center receptacle contacts and is thus connected with the plug center contact 12 through the central screwlt).

In order to electrically connect the con tact device 33with the threaded shell plug contact 11, the cont ct device 33 is providedwith a spring tongue portion 38, which engages inside the member. 21 andis, by means of this member 21, electrically connected with the threaded shell plug contact 11. 'For .securingthe contact device 33 in .place on the insulating base 35, a rivet member 39 is provided, which extends through registering openings in the insulating base and. contactdevice 33.

The contact devices 33and 3 l-are located in recesses #lOand 41 in the insulating base 35, the base being provided with restricted openingsl2 and43 tln'ough which the blades of the cap of a separable attachment plug may be inserted-tor engagement with thecontact devices and 34.

In thisdevice the circuit is from the cen ter contact 11 through the. central screw 19, receptacle contact15, contact member 37, contact. device 34,.translating device, contact member 33, member 21 and threaded shell plugcontact 11 to the ground return.

The-construction shown in Fig. 7 is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 3 with respect to the plug portionlt, central screw 19, threaded shell receptacle contact portion 14;, and Hubbell receptacle portion 32, the, principal difference being in that the threaded shell receptacle contact 1 1 is in alignment with the plug portion 10, and

the Hubbell receptacle. portion 32 extends at right angles to the plug portion 10. This necessitates certain changes in the construction'o-f the receptacle base part let, in the receptacle center contact member 45, and in the combination connecting, supporting and housing member e6.

The receptacle center contact 45 comprises a center contact portion at? ttor cooperation with the threaded shell contact 14, and a center contactportion 4-8 for engagement with the contact member 37 of the llubbell receptacle 32. The combination member at} is made in mating halves as in the corresponding member of the term previously described, and is electrically.connected to til) lull

the plug shell contact 11, the receptacle shell contact 14, and the Hulobell receptacle device 32, substantially as in the form previously described, the circuit also being substantially the same as in the form-previously described.

The construction shown in Fig. 8 may be substantially the same as the construction shown in Fig. l with respect to the plug portion 10, the central screw 19 and the threaded shell receptacle contacts 14, the principal difl'erence beingin that the threaded shell receptacle contacts 14 are in alignment with each other, and extend at right angles with respect to the plug portion 10. This construction necessitates changes in the receptacle insulating base portion 49, in the receptacle center contact member 50, and in the combination housing, supporting and electrical and mechanical connecting mem ber 51. The center contact member is provided with a base portion held underneath the nut 20, and with center contact portions 52 for cooperation with the threaded shell receptacle contact 14,. The connecting member 51 is made in mating halves and is secured to the'threaded shell plug contact 11 and to the threaded shell receptacle contacts 14 in substantially the same manner as the corresponding part in the constructionshown in Fig. 1, the circuit also being substantially the same as in the form shown in Fig. 1.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A plug receptacle for use with a ground return system, comprising a plug portion and a receptacle portion, the plug portion comprising a center contact, and

a threaded shell contact for electrical con-- nection with the ground return, the receptacle portion comprising a plurality of pairs of receptacle contacts, and a combination housing, supporting, and electrical connector member for housing receptacle portions, and supporting, and electrically connecting with the plug shell contact one oi each pair of the receptacle contacts, said combination member comprising two mating halves separable on an axial plane through the plug portion.

2. A plug receptacle for use with, a ground return system comprising a plug portion and a receptacle portion, the plug portion comprising a center contact, and a threaded shell contact for electrical connection with the ground return, the receptacle portion comprising a plurality of pairs of receptacle contacts, and a combination housing, supporting and electrical connecto member for housing receptacle portions, and supporting, and electrically connecting with the plug shell contact one of each pair of the receptacle contacts, said combination member comprising two mating halves separable on an axial plane through the plug portion, said mating halves be ing held in their proper relative position by one of said receptacle contacts.

3. A plug receptacle for use with a ground return system, comprising a plug portion and a receptacle portion, the plug portion comprising a center contact, and a shell contact for electrical connection with the ground return, the receptacle portion comprisin a plurality of pairs of receptacle contacts, and a combination housing, supporting an electrical connector member for housing receptacle portions, and supporting, and electrically connecting with the plug shell contact one of each pair of the receptacle contacts, said combination member comprising two mating halves separable on an axial plane through the plug portion, said mating halves being held together by the shell contact of the plug portion.

a. A plug receptacle for use with a ground return system, comprising a plug portion and a receptacle portion, the plug portion comprising a center contact, and a shell con tact for electrical connection with the ground return, the receptacle portion comprising a plurality of pairs of receptacle contacts, one of which pairs includes a threaded shell contact, and a combination housing, supporting an electrical connector member for housing receptacle portions, and supporting and electrically connecting with the plug shell contact one of each pair of receptacle contacts, said combination member comprising two mating halves separable on an axial plane through the plug portion, said mating halves being held together by the threaded shell contact of the receptacle portion.

5. A plug receptacle for use with a ground return system, comprising a plug portion and a receptacle portion, the plug portion comprising a center contact, and ashell contact for electrical connection with the ground return, the receptacle portion comprising a plurality of pairs of receptacle contacts, and a combination housing, supporting an electrical connector member for housing receptacle portions, and supporting and electrically connecting with the plug shell contact one of each pair of receptacle contacts, said combination member comprising two mating halves separable on an axial plane through the plug portion, said mating halves being held together by the shell contact of the plug portion and by one of the receptacle contacts.

6. A plug receptacle for a ground return system, the plug portion comprising a center contact and a threaded shell contact for electrical connection with the ground return, the receptacle portion comprising two cylindrical receptacle members, and a comcertain receptacle contacts withtthe. threaded l shell .plug contact, .saiducombination member 1 comprising two mating halves separableon tan axiahplane through saidplug portion,

- said cylindrical receptacle .inembers and said .threaded shell plug contact having provisions .i'or i holding together. said mating halves.

: 7. A plug receptaclelor. a ground returnsystem, the plugportioncomprisingacenter v '15.

contactand a threaded shell contact for-electrical connection with the ground:returinthe receptacle portion comprising two cylindical receptacle.members, and a combination housa ing, supporting. and electrical connector member for supporting saidicynndrical receptacle members, housing thereceptacle port1ons,and electrically connecting .certain receptacle contacts with the threadcdshell plug contacts, said combination member comprising two mating halves separable on an axial plane through said plug portion, said threaded shell plug-contact having an inwardly extending flange, andsaid mating halves havin inwardly extending flanges engaging said flange, and having portions bent over said flange to hold said mating halves together.

8. A plug receptacle fornse with a ground return system, comprising a plug portion and a receptacle portion, said plug portion comprising a center contact, a threaded shell contact for electrical connection with a ground return, and-an insulating base for insulating and supporting said contacts with respect to each other, saidreceptacle portion comprising two cylindrical receptacle members, and a combination housing, supporting and electrical connector member for sup- )ortin said rece )tacle members housin b 7 5 parts of the receptacle, and elec-tri ally connecting said cylindrical receptacle member with said threaded shell plug contact, receptacle contacts, and an insulating base for supporting said receptacle contacts, said combination member having a flangeportion held in place between said two bases.

9. l" plug receptacle for use with a ground return system, comprising a plug port-ion and a receptacle portion, said plug portion comprising a center contact, a

threaded shell contact for electrical connection with a ground return, and an m snlaliing base for insulating and sup1 orting said contacts with respect to each other,

said receptacle portion comprising two cylindrical receptacle members, and a. combination housing, supporting and electrical connector member for supporting said reccptacle portions, housing parts of the re-' -ceptacle, and electrically .connectlngsaidal ae-2343 l cylindrical c receptacle; aimembers with; said threaded .sh'ell.aplugpontact, receptacle =contacts, and an insulating; base; for supporting said; :receptacle. .,contacts,..said.- combination member h ailing a t'flanga portion .held in place between said two bases, saidarthreaded shell:gplugcontact also; having aeflange held betweensaicLbascs.

p10, A ;plug.; recep.tacle .for .use with a 'gl0l1ll Cl areturn relrcultrcomprisi-ng a... plug il 'tioniantl -anreceptacleaportion, asaiclaplug ,DOIMOH; co1npr1sin;g: ascenter-i contact: ,and a ablnzcacled shell econtact iforylelectrical .connection with,thesground(return, said recepb2lCl,9,'gP,OI\lllQlL comprising-two- .cylindrical re .ceptaclemmmbers, land; a combination hous- 1mg, supporting .1; and g electrical connector member for: supporting said.v cylindrical receptacle.members honsing receptacle parts and electnically connecting said. cylindrical.-

receptacleimemlbers'with said-threaded shell plug; contact,-,.saidcombinationmember. com- -]7-ll'Srl llgi'-:l1\VO nnating-halves separable. along an axiali plane 1 througlrnthee plug; portion,

and means for, efBect-ing.the quickrdetacln ablel engagement of said cylindrical members with respect towsaid'; combination member.

11, A plug receptacle .-;-ior use with a groundmeturn circuit-comprising a. plug portion and a,receptacleportion, said plug .7

portion comprising a center contact and a threadedishell contactzfon electrical con nection with the ground return, said,receptacle portioncoinprising two. cylindrical receptacle members,,.and. .a combination .hous-.

ing, supporting and: electrical connector memberfor supporting. said cylindrical receptacle members, housing receptacle parts and electrically connecting said. cylindrical receptacle-members with said threaded shell plug contact, said combination member com prising two. mating halves separable along an .axialiplane througlrthe plug portion, said cylindrical,membershaving a quickdetachable engagement-with respectito said combination .lllQIIlhQLlOIlfiof'said cylindrical receptacle .members being provided with contact-sfor engagementwith the blades of an attachment .plugcap.

12. A plug receptacle; for use-with a ground return circuit, comprising a plug portion having a center contact and a threadedshell contact. IE'OIUQlCGtllCtLl connection with aground returnrsaid receptacle portion comprising two center contact members, athreaded-shell contact having means for effecting a quick-detachableengagemen t. with respect to said-receptacle p-ortiomand a cylindrical receptacle portion-having contactst'or engagement withthecontacts of a cap of a separable; attachment plug. one of the contacts of said cylindrical receptacle portion being eletrically connected with one of the receptacle center contacts, said cylindrical receptacle member having a llH) llU

quick-detachable engagement with respect to said plug receptacle.

13. A plug receptacle comprising a phw portion tor engagement With a socket an. a receptacle portion having means for quick detachable connection With a threaded shell receptacle contact, and having a center contact, and a cylindrical receptacle portion having contacts for engagement With the contacts of the cap of a separable attachmept plug, having a quick-detachable engagement With said plug receptacle con tact, and having one of its contacts electrically connected With said center contact.

14. A plug receptacle comprising a plug portion, and a receptacle portion, said receptacle portion having a center contact, and a cylindrical receptacle member having contacts for engagement with the blades of a separable attachment plug cap, said cylindrical receptacle member having means for effecting a quickdetachable engagement with respect to said plug receptacle, one of its contacts being electrically connected With said center contact.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN. 

